UPDATE: A devastating fire has severely damaged a nondenominational church in Bangor, leading officials to condemn the structure as an investigation into the cause of the blaze continues. Borough Manager Stephen Reider confirmed that a “condemned” sign was placed at the front of the church located at 125 S. Main St. on Thursday morning, following the incident that occurred early Wednesday.
The fire erupted around 7:30 AM and was so intense that flames and smoke were visible from miles away. Reider stated, “It is still very fresh,” indicating that no new information about the fire’s origin has been uncovered yet. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, as no one was inside the church during the fire.
Initial reports and videos circulating on social media showcased dramatic scenes of flames engulfing the building. Fire crews from Liberty Fire Company 2 utilized a tower ladder to combat the blaze, which required traffic to be detoured around South Main Street, also known as Route 191. Firefighters battled the flames for several hours, with support from dozens of first responders across Northampton County.
The church, which dates back to the early 1900s, is owned by Gethsemane Ministries, while Lighthouse Ministries leases the space. Officials from both congregations have not yet provided comments regarding the situation.
Earlier, the property was known as the Salem Evangelical Church before being sold to Gethsemane in 2000, according to Northampton County property records. As the investigation unfolds, Reider and local officials are expected to provide more updates in the coming days.
The community is left grappling with the loss of a historical landmark, and the emotional impact is palpable. Residents are urged to stay tuned for more information as authorities work diligently to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
For further updates, contact Morning Call reporter Anthony Salamone at [email protected].
